I came home to a different cat last night. Recap: Adopted Franz, 8 yr old neutered Maine Coon mix one month ago. Lived in an rescue home for 8 months after being rescued from city pound, previous owner ill or died not sure)I am aware of his timid background, they had a hard time adopting him out since he could not stand adoption fairs. He has adjusted well here, except for a brief spell of constipation which has cleared. Eats well, drinks well, plays well, cuddler, belly rubber, but skittish of some things and new people.
Last night I went out with friends for my B-Day. Off-Broadway show and dinner. Was gone a total 6 hours. Left him plenty of dry, which he loves and he has plenty of toys. He seems to be, for the most part a solo playing toy type. He seemed nervous when I came in, I sensed a change, but went ahead and fed him his wet food, spinkled with his cat grass, nuked for 11 seconds! He ate like he had not eaten in weeks, though the dry food bowl was now 1/2 empty. After a while after I undressed, etc, I went to pick him up for cuddle time and he went into panic mode, scratching etc, ran into bedroom and hid, I went in, he ran out, sat in window sill. I let him be. Eventually it got too cold for the window to be open so I had to get him. I had closed bedroom door (prob bad move) and he meowed plantively to be let in. I finally gave in. He stayed their all night.
This morning and tonight: A little better, ate well, used his box, though I haven't seen him drink. Still scared of me. Has spent almost the entire day in his computer cubbyhole. It's a pull out draw (huge) that I had set up for him when he first came, pillow, my t-shirt. He stopped really using it when he became comfortable. The cubby, is right next to me at the computer, he let's me pet him, he purrs on occasion. I've picked him up, he lets me, but his heart is not in it.
The ONLY thing I can think of is this. My friends from last night have a dog, the dog wasn't there of course, but her smell was. On them, in the car. When I thought of this last night I showered, but, no help. I've had friends over who have dogs, and he is okay with them, though scared at first. And there was a dog in the foster house situation. But all dogs smell differently, so I don't know. I have petted a dog or two on my way home before, and never got any reaction. Any ideas guys, I'm worried sick, I feel like a mother, who dropped her kid on it's head...totally inept!
Sorry for the length of this post!
UPDATE: He seems to be accepting ME more, petting, even holding, but retreats to cubby. When he got up for dinner, with my assistance, he looked as if he was AFRAID OF THE HOUSE, tail down and body low to the ground...I don't know maybe he heard something last night that spooked him. He is napping comfortably in cubby, when awake, I can even pet his belly. I don't get this. If he want to move I hope he has some secret $$$$$..LOL!
Last night I went out with friends for my B-Day. Off-Broadway show and dinner. Was gone a total 6 hours. Left him plenty of dry, which he loves and he has plenty of toys. He seems to be, for the most part a solo playing toy type. He seemed nervous when I came in, I sensed a change, but went ahead and fed him his wet food, spinkled with his cat grass, nuked for 11 seconds! He ate like he had not eaten in weeks, though the dry food bowl was now 1/2 empty. After a while after I undressed, etc, I went to pick him up for cuddle time and he went into panic mode, scratching etc, ran into bedroom and hid, I went in, he ran out, sat in window sill. I let him be. Eventually it got too cold for the window to be open so I had to get him. I had closed bedroom door (prob bad move) and he meowed plantively to be let in. I finally gave in. He stayed their all night.
This morning and tonight: A little better, ate well, used his box, though I haven't seen him drink. Still scared of me. Has spent almost the entire day in his computer cubbyhole. It's a pull out draw (huge) that I had set up for him when he first came, pillow, my t-shirt. He stopped really using it when he became comfortable. The cubby, is right next to me at the computer, he let's me pet him, he purrs on occasion. I've picked him up, he lets me, but his heart is not in it.
The ONLY thing I can think of is this. My friends from last night have a dog, the dog wasn't there of course, but her smell was. On them, in the car. When I thought of this last night I showered, but, no help. I've had friends over who have dogs, and he is okay with them, though scared at first. And there was a dog in the foster house situation. But all dogs smell differently, so I don't know. I have petted a dog or two on my way home before, and never got any reaction. Any ideas guys, I'm worried sick, I feel like a mother, who dropped her kid on it's head...totally inept!
UPDATE: He seems to be accepting ME more, petting, even holding, but retreats to cubby. When he got up for dinner, with my assistance, he looked as if he was AFRAID OF THE HOUSE, tail down and body low to the ground...I don't know maybe he heard something last night that spooked him. He is napping comfortably in cubby, when awake, I can even pet his belly. I don't get this. If he want to move I hope he has some secret $$$$$..LOL!
